Two trips to the other Washington with nearly two dozen AWB members lead to the first major achievement in AWB’s new focus on federal issues: The renewal of the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank charter that Congress let expire June 30.

The fanfare surrounding the bank’s reauthorization was emblematic of what it means to a trade-dependent economy like Washington’s. AWB highlighted several members in a video series explaining what the Ex-Im Bank means to their business and their employees.

AWB President Kris Johnson joined U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, U.S. Reps. Denny Heck and Dave Reichert, and leaders from state employers of all sizes at a Dec. 4 press conference to celebrate reauthorization of the Ex-Im Bank.

The event was held at the new Boeing Delivery Center in Seattle and featured a bipartisan group of congressional leaders touting the Ex-Im Bank and its value for the nation’s exporters.

With a dozen Boeing jets visible through the bay windows behind her, Cantwell said that the Ex-Im Bank will ensure that these and American-made goods – from airplanes to music stands – can be sold to ready customers across the globe.

Rep. Heck said that the bank benefits the hundreds of small businesses that Boeing uses as its supply chain. Each jet sold means jobs at small employers across the state and nation.

Leaders from across the political spectrum praised the reauthorization.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-WA said, “With passage of Ex-Im authorization, businesses across Washington state and the nation will once again have this critical export credit agency.”

Gov. Jay Inslee called it an “important step to increase job opportunities in our states and grow the national economy.”

National Association of Manufacturers President Jay Timmons said final Ex-Im Bank approval is “a victory for manufacturers of all sizes as well as for workers here in the United States.”

U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue said, “In recent weeks, we’ve seen how American companies are forced to operate at a unique disadvantage in global markets without Ex-Im, resulting in lost sales and lost jobs. We applaud the determined work of those Congressional leaders who have acted to protect the competitiveness of American companies.”

In 2014 and 2015, AWB lead two delegations of business owners to Washington, D.C., to explain the importance of the bank to all 10 House members and the state's two Senators. Read more about this effort in Washington Business magazine here.

For more on AWB’s engagement on the Ex-Im Bank and other federal issues, contact AWB Government Affairs Director Amy Anderson.